The Cheltenham Festival Style

I really think a smart overcoat makes almost any outfit look instantly smarter. You can wear one over stuff you already have, they will last for years and keep you warm so it’s a worthwhile investment. Bar the obvious: comfy shoes as you will put in some miles, and for me personally I like a nice tie that stands out.

I love putting on a suit and a big day out at Cheltenham is prime for it. My go to for the festival is always a suit with a long overcoat on top. A dark navy overcoat will be most versatile and go with practically any suit and tie.

Something I like to do when it’s cold but a bit of sun poking through is wear the suit trousers and waistcoat, without the suit jacket, but with a smart overcoat. You are warm enough without feeling like you can’t move in too many layers, you just have to be brave enough to rock the shirt & waistcoat in a bar later on without looking like a waiter!

My advice for first timers is to use what you already have and then add a little bit of “Cheltenham accessory”. Most blokes have either a suit at home, or some form of trouser/shirt/jacket that works. From there your proper national hunt accessory is a flat cap but my favourite investment is a new tie. A new tie can make an old suit feel like a new one.
How often do you get complimented on your hat? coat? shoes? you will on a good tie!

You will rarely look smarter than when you are wearing a good suit.
Otherwise simply be smart, be comfortable, be warm, and maybe wear one thing that makes it feel more ‘racing’ or more ‘Cheltenham’. Even some lucky socks or cufflinks could do.

Maybe I am stating the obvious again but two things spring to mind.
1) Wear what fits! Your nicest jacket that doesn’t fit, will look worse than something that does fit.
2) Test run the new shoes! Blisters put a damper on the day and slow you down. By all means buy a nice new pair of shoes but wear them in. I have made this mistake and your friends don’t want to piggyback you home.

For me it’s all about a Flat cap. A navy will be most versatile and a give you a smarter look (if its waterproof even better). A Tweed flat cap is more National Hunt, and more Cheltenham, but It’s a little harder to match – you’d probably want to be wearing tweed or similar colours.

If you see me in a suit it’s House of Cavani, the best “off the shelf” suit I have ever found, and perfect for a website purchase.

Look and feel smart. Wear something that’s a little ‘different’, you are not off to work! And Enjoy it. I absolutely love the feeling on raceday as you leave the house dressed up, cash in your pocket, and a big day of racing ahead!

When it comes to Festival style, there is a lot to think about. But Jade says it’s all down to you: “If you look good, you feel good. It isn’t about chasing trends. It’s timeless. Longevity, practicality, and quality are most important.”

There are endless outfits to choose from, but as a veteran of the Festival, Jade has the answer: “Cheltenham is a showcase, it’s the time to dress to impress. You need to bring a look which is right for the races that can also last you for seasons to come because it is forever in fashion.” she said.

If you really want to nail the Festival fashion, then there are some things you cannot go without. The racecourse is notoriously wet and windy, and many first timers can get caught out by the conditions. For Jade it is all about layers so that you can enjoy your race day to the fullest: “I always say layer up.”

“You will be outside most of the day, so you need something practical, tights under trousers, no one can see them, I always wear my thermals, a thin roll neck under a roll neck makes such a difference.”

Who says practicality forgoes style? Jade accessorises with her favourite pieces. She says “A key accessory that I simply can’t live without at the races would be gloves… It’s always so much colder than you think, so they will not only keep you warm and finish your outfit beautifully.”

Jade adds “Another accessory that really finishes off a look for me is a silk scarf. Our silk scarves are made in England and come in a variety of beautiful colours and prints that are designed to complement all our tweed and tailoring.”

While The Festival is inclusive of everyone’s individual style, there are some things to steer clear of to make the best of your time at Cheltenham. Jade says, “Dress for the weather. It isn’t going to be a day where you can wear a silky dress, it is about outerwear.” Stay away from bare legs, floaty skirts, and thin materials. “The worst thing is when you are so cold, and you can’t get warm.”

Also, sensible shoes. “You’re going to be on your feet for most of the day, moving around the racecourse and trying to see as much as you possibly can. I always wear shoes that I know I can last all day in; it makes such a difference to your experience.”

Jade’s go-to brand is obviously, Holland Cooper. “I love seeing all the different people wearing our collections, it’s great that we cater to so many different styles with our now extensive range of collections”.

If you want to stand out, it’s all about the tweed, our Heritage Collection and our hero signature pieces such as the HC Trench, Regency, Knightsbridge, and Capes are all classics.

Holland Cooper is the obvious choice for this season’s luxury fashion partner, the brand is synonymous with racing style, and will ensure you are fully racing ready, classic timeless style our forever fashion pieces will not disappoint.